Embroidered Textiles – Profession or Craft

Textile goods are social objects that assume an importance beyond household maintenance and use. In all ages they have been seen as displays of conspicuous consumption and reserves of wealth, but has the creating of the textiles been a move from valued craftsmen to professional articles produced by anonymous employees.

Today, most textiles are made in far away from the retail customer, often in 3rd world countries where labor is cheap or in large factories using automated machinery. From the exclusive design houses patronized by the rich and famous through brand name products sold in better quality stores to generic branded items in budget stores, consumers are unlikely to personally meet either the designer or the maker of their goods.

Embroidery is valued more for what it signifies rather than for what it is. We display the logos that indicate that an item is from a desirable brand or chose embellished textiles to achieve a particular decorating theme.

Has this changed from the past? Not really. Since the industrial revolution most textile production and embellishment has been done in factories. "Fancy work" was desirable accomplishment for women of wealth or the upper classes. Their projects were mainly designed to show off elegant hands or to keep them from boredom or to embellish decorative items. Such women did not create or deal directly with those who actually made the bulk of their clothing or household furnishings.

Poor and working class women were those who labored in the sewing rooms of the fashionable designers or in the, usually, unsafe factories. It is ironic that these women were paid such low wages and worked such long hours that they had to clothe themselves and their families in cheaply manufactured or second-hand items.

Prior to the industrial revolution things were not so dramatically different. The nobility and very wealthy purchased their best textiles from professional workshops staffed by guild-trained craftsman (and the occasional craftswoman). Bulk textiles were made locally, either by servants or by village workers. Many of the embroidery patterns used to embellish domestic linen were drawn by traveling professional pattern-makers or copied from purchased pattern books.

Still, women of wealth or the upper classes were expected to be able to use embroidery to embellish their clothes and produce decorative textiles to give visual evidence of family status and wealth.

It is really only in modern times that the skill of individual embroiders is truly appreciated. Modern society has now given many women and men time to be able to carry out embroidery as an art-form rather than from necessity, and so we need to learn from the superb achievements of the past without viewing it through rose-colored glasses as a craft paradise for that has never really existed.

Annette Garcia is an embroidery enthusiast with a day-job of managing projects for the manufacturing industry. She runs a website, http://www.xstitchandbeyond.com providing her original designs in blackwork, cross-stitch and other counted thread techniques.

Christmas Craft Ideas

Christmas is a fun time of year, a busy time of year, and a bumper craft sales season! You can never start planning too early, and each year you'll find you improve your results from the previous year as you get more experience.

Christmas Craft Ideas - Where To Sell Your Crafts

There are so many opportunities out there for holiday season sales, here are a few Christmas craft sales ideas:

Christmas Fairs & Markets - Do an internet search using your local search engine, and stock up on your local print media to check what's being advertised in your area. Book early! If you're too late to book for this year, put your name on the list for next year.

Retailers - Find out about the promotions at your local mall, and ask your local convenience store if you can rent a small space to display your crafts.

Charities and Fundraising Events - These are usually well supported by the community, find out what's taking place near you.

Home Party Sales - Christmas is also a good sales period for this type of selling, so arrange your own parties or ask someone you know who does home party selling to take your crafts along.

Door to Door - Offer the kids in your neighborhood a commission for any of your crafts they can sell for extra pocket money.

Christmas Craft Ideas - Best Selling Crafts

Seasonal events like Christmas present great opportunities for fun craft items and new product ideas!

Decorations and ornaments are an obvious idea, and a good one, especially if you can come up with something really unique and creative.

Gift hampers with different themes are great, especially if you can create a clever package for men because they can be quite difficult to buy gifts for.

Offer discounts on some of your items that sell well throughout the year to boost your Christmas sales, or sell it for the same or a little more but with an extra item packaged with it.

For more free craft business info and resources, visit Craft Business Home.com - the free guide on how to turn your craft into a profitable home business!

The Craft of Knitting

Whenever I knit something new, or think about all the projects that are still on the "back-burner", the one thing I never think about is where did this all begin?

After all, knitting is such an ancient craft, or at least the art of spinning yarn is. Once all that yarn was created you just know someone came along and started figuring out ways to weave the yarn into cloth. And, once cloth was created, then variations of cloth were produced; colors came along, then simple patterns, then more intricate designs, many of which were very indicative of native lands.

As of right now, it is thought that knitting came along sometime in the late Middle Ages, 1200-1500 A.D. It was brought into Egypt by nomads, and from there, carried into lower Europe by way of Spain. Once there, knitting traveled all over the European continent.

During the Renaissance, craft guilds were all the rage, and knitting was established as a true craft. After all, once the art of spinning created yarn, then innovative ways to use the yarn came along.

Different areas of Europe invented different modes of knitting. The Fair Isles, a group of islands north of Britain, give us Fair Isle knitting, one which is characteristic of knitting with many colors, and changing colors frequently.

Intricate lace patterns are indicative of France; fishing communities off the coast of England gave us the Guernsey style. Both of these types of knitting are quite intricate, and the latter very colorful.

Of course, knitting found its way to our world as well. During the Civil War, both sides took to producing much needed items for the soldiers. It was here that knitting became linked to patriotism; a link which has only grown stronger over time.

Once the Industrial Revolution came along, knitting machines were able to produce what hand-knitters never could.

Yet, with all the modern innovations which we live with, there is nothing quite like settling in with needles, yarn, and a good pattern. Add some friends, a sprinkling of good conversation, and the beautiful world of knitting, is a place you could live in forever!

Nowadays, we have not only our families, and friends to knit for. There are so many needy causes and organiza- tions out there just looking for a little "hands-on" help.

The Old English definition of the word "craft" tells us that the word meant "strength". As we knitters well know, in learning, enjoying, and passing on, our beloved craft, therein lies knitting's strength.

The Shakers certainly had it right when they said, "Hands to work, hearts to God."

Keep YOUR knitting on the "CuttingEdge" with FR.EE patterns. The place where smart knitters gather resources and share stories. FREE Details.

Craft Sales Tips

There’s a saying among webmasters to ‘newbies’ where they try to explain that an internet business is not as simple as ‘if you build it, they will come’. The same basic principal applies here – you might have the most fabulous product in the world, but if you don’t spend quality time on marketing and sales, it’s not going to be flying off anybody’s shelves.

Unfortunately, too many people think it is as easy as just having a great product that’s going to sell itself. Of course, there’s no such thing, unless your product walks and talks for you too. The GOOD NEWS is that these people are your competitors, and they create the perfect gap for you to take advantage of! I call this type of person The Lazy Salesperson, and I love them because I know that with just a little extra effort on my part, I’m going to get loads more business than they are!

If you’re not a natural born sales person, either attend some basic training or read up as much as you can about it before getting started. Importantly though, remember that not everything might suit your personal style and the way you’re comfortable doing sales, so look for methods that will suit you so that you’re able to have more success with your efforts.

Here are the craft sales tips I’ve found to be successful, especially in picking up where The Lazy Salesperson has left off:

Craft Sales Tip #1 : Have Your Facts & Figures Available

Know what you’re talking about. If you don’t, the buyer will soon realize this and will take advantage of the situation to send you packing. Remember that buyers are skilled negotiators – they deal with prospective suppliers on a daily basis, so you’d better be able to at least match them, if not beat them, at their own game! Do some research beforehand to find out what you need to know so that you can present your products professionally.

Craft Sales Tip #2 : Personal Contact Is Always The Best

In this technological age, email and other electronic means of communication have become The Lazy Salesperson’s companion, but I’ll bet that if there are any statistics available, they will show that the person who makes personal contact is the one who closes more deals. Pick up the ‘phone and make that call! Even better, do it face to face – make an appointment and go see the buyer. Email is also an easy way for a prospective buyer to back out, because you’re not there to rebut them – they know they can just send you an email back saying 'No Thanks'. But if you’re having a conversation, you’re able to ask 'why' and to provide information that will counter their reasons for not buying. Do your research on sales tips and techniques, and be sure to look up 'rebuttals' – these can become some of your best steps towards closing the deal!

Craft Sales Tip #3 : Ask For The Business!

And be persistent about it! Don’t just comply with a request to 'send more information' – by all means, send the info, but then follow up that the buyer has received it. What do they think of it? If they can’t give you an answer now, when can you expect one? Then follow up on that (this is where you acquire a good friend – your diary). Better yet, ask for an appointment to personally bring along the info and samples!

Craft Sales Tip #4 : Always Find Out The Reasons Someone Doesn’t Want To Buy From You

This is a type of constructive criticism, and you may learn something that will help you to improve either your products, or your sales pitch. Then, once you’ve overcome the reason they wouldn’t buy, go back to them and tell them so – you might just get the order!

Craft Sales Tip #5 : NEVER GIVE UP!

'No' never means 'No'. It really only means 'not right now'. Situations and circumstances change all the time. It could be that the company you contact has already allocated their budget for that season, or they’re focusing on other products right now, or the buyer might leave and be replaced with another person, etc, etc, etc. The list is virtually endless, but the fact is that if you give up, you will not get the business. If you persist, you have a much better chance at it.

So go out there and give it all you’ve got! Good Luck, and have fun doing it!

For more free craft business info and resources, visit Craft Business Home.com - the free guide on how to turn your craft into a profitable home business!

Summertime Craft Ideas

Spring and summer come and everyone starts opening their doors and windows, bringing in the fresh air. Tree leaves are full and flower blooms abound; birds are singing, building nests and taking care of their chicks. I am drawn outdoors by the lure of warmer days and the call of the dirt and new sprouts. Not to mention, as a mom, the kids are clamoring for more room to play. It’s a perfect time to pull out some fun out door family crafts.

Here are a few, easy to personalize, summertime craft ideas for summer fun or to celebrate May Day, Mother’s Day or a holiday weekend. All craft supplies are easily attainable from craft supply stores or online suppliers. While making these crafts is a fun family activity, some are available in pre-assembled kits, or already made. Use your favorite search engine for more information on various ideas – keyword suggestions are offered below craft each idea.

1. Terra cotta clay pot bird bath. Invert terra cotta clay pots, from larger on bottom and smallest on top. Add a clay saucer (the part the pot sits in to catch the drained water). A waterproof saucer is necessary. Set the clay saucer on top of the inverted stack of pots. Paint or mosaic the pots if you feel especially creative. For more bird fun, add a mister. Birds love to play in the water. Note: Make two similar stands and use one for a bird feeder.

Keywords: clay pot bird bath; clay pot bird feeder; terra cotta bird bath.

2. Plant and grow an herb garden. Include herbs such as basil, thyme, sage, chives and any other favorites. You’ll have fresh herbs to add to your recipes all summer long. Herbs are easy to grow, making this an easy garden for kids to help. Take it one step further and create a “kitchen garden”, including lettuce spinach, tomato, cucumber or other salad favorites.

Keywords: growing herbs; kitchen garden; easy herb gardening; gardening plans; container gardening.

3. Build a toad abode (toad house). Use a terra cotta pot and a rock. Invert a clay pot and prop edge on a rock. If you have a chipped pot, that would work great too and wouldn’t require propping. Paint and decorate to your liking.

Keywords: clay toad abode; toad house; frog house.

4. A handmade stepping stone. Personalize with stones, marbles, or other memorable items. Make the project a tradition. Mark the stone with the year and include items to remember the year; a key (house or car), a toy, etc. A footprint each year could signify the walk of life and would be fun for young children to mark their growth from summer to summer.

Keywords: stepping stone craft; handmade stepping stones; stepping stone kits.

5. Personalized necklaces. Letter beads (for names or initials), a few spacer beads, a charm or two added to a simple chain makes a lovely, personal necklace for any mom or grandmother. For fun, make matching necklaces one for mom, grandmother, and daughters.

Keywords: personalized mother’s necklace.

6. Bookmarks make a great craft for rainy days. Get creative – use paper, dried flowers, ribbons, needlepoint thread. Use beads and charms attached to chain or yarn to create a “book thong”.

Keywords: handmade bookmarks; handmade book thong.

7. A decorated throw pillow. A pre-made throw pillow with light colored fabric, decorated with fabric paint. Fabric glue will easily adhere buttons and other small mementos. Start from scratch and decorate your fabric before making a pillow – tie-dye, iron-on colored pictures made with fabric crayons or reverse dying using a darker fabric and bleach provide many creative ways to decorate any pillow or piece of fabric. Another variation would be decorating pillow cases.

Keywords: handmade throw pillow; throw pillow craft; decorative pillow craft; fabric crayons; iron-on transfers.

8. A tie-dye party is fun for family or a gathering of extended family and friends. Supplies are readily available online coming in easy kits.

Keywords: tie dye supplies; reverse dying.

When doing a search, try searching images also. Often time pictures of an already made item will spark some creative thoughts.

Judi Cox is a wife and mother of 4 children. Her hobbies include, but are ever growing, making handmade soap, gardening, crafts, web design, reading...

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judi_Cox